Five Dynamo players to watch in 2009

March 21, 2009 12:00 AM

1. STUART HOLDEN

All eyes will be on the 23-year-old Sugar Land product as he takes over Dwayne De Rosario’s role as commander-in-chief and spark of the Dynamo offense. Pressure? You bet. But with Holden having a golden chance to establish himself as an MLS starter in the last year of his contract, expect great things from the crafty attacking midfielder.

1. STUART HOLDEN All eyes will be on the 23-year-old Sugar Land...photo-1352906.22289 - |ucfirst

2. BRIAN CHING

A busy national team schedule will make it tough for Ching to replicate last-season's success, when he tallied a career-high 13 goals. But with the Dynamo short at forward, the onus will be on the 30-year-old to again deliver. Provided he remains focused and healthy, history – he’s averaged better than 10 goals a season as a Dynamo – suggests he will.

2. BRIAN CHING A busy national team schedule will make it tough...photo-1352907.22289 - |ucfirst

3. GEOFF CAMERON

Last year’s rookie-of-the-year finalist is back and gunning for a starting spot. Having proved his versatility by playing center back, right back, center and outside mid and forward, Cameron, 23, should have no problem finding playing time provided he keeps up the excellent attitude and work ethic.

The intense forward came into preseason ready to prove he deserves to start alongside Brian Ching. The hard work paid off, but then Kamara, 24, was given a two-match suspension by MLS to start the season for a preseason incident involving a game official. Nonetheless, the team is counting on Kamara to keep his cool – and the goals coming – this season.

Entering preseason, no one expected more from Robinson than Robinson. The center back wanted nothing more than to make up for an irregular 2008 and leave a lasting impression in the last year of his contract. But then a knee problem resurfaced and forced Robinson, 30, to resort to surgery. The team is hoping for a May-June return.

The second-year center back, who arrived as part of the trade that sent Dwayne De Rosario to Toronto FC, has been presented with the opportunity to compete for a starting spot after Robinson was sidelined. James, 24, is strong, fast and has great aerial ability, but coaches want to see him display 90-minute focus on the field.

Others to look out for: JULIUS JAMES The second-year center...photo-1352911.22289 - |ucfirst

Others to look out for: RICARDO CLARK

His contributions often flying under the radar, Clark, a U.S. national team player, is as good as they come at his holding midfielder position. With a new midfield partner in Stuart Holden, it will be interesting to see if Clark steps it up offensively. His long-range shots a proven weapon, he certainly has the capability.

The Dynamo’s best defender last season will be entrusted with the tough task of teaching Eddie Robinson’s temporary replacement the ropes, often meaning having to get his back and make up for mistakes. Having signed a new, well-paying contract during the offseason suggests Boswell is here to stay, and the Dynamo couldn’t be happier.

Entering his fourth season as a pro, the 24-year-old left back is itching for a chance to make his MLS debut. Lots of patience and solid play in the reserve division and last year’s group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League has gotten him that much closer to his goal of cracking the lineup, be it as a starter or a sub.

All eyes will be on the 23-year-old Sugar Land product as he takes over Dwayne De Rosario’s role as commander-in-chief and spark of the Dynamo offense. Pressure? You bet. But with Holden having a golden chance to establish himself as an MLS starter in the last year of his contract, expect great things from the crafty attacking midfielder.